Players, executives, coaches and fans want the same thing on opening weekend that they want every week: preferably wins, but a tie if nothing else. Joe Machnik and Paul Tamberino want the same thing every week also, but rarely can they and their colleagues settle for a tie.

So spoke Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas in January, while David Beckham trained with Arsenal and speculation swirled regarding his possible selection for a friendly against Switzerland and possibly his 100th cap: